Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with COVID-19 infection

Pan Afr Med J. 2020 Jul 18;35(Suppl 2):118. doi: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.35.2.25003. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

We are reporting a case of Acute Post-Infectious Flaccid paralysis also commonly known as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in a patient with confirmed COVID-19 infection. GBS often occurs following an infectious trigger which induces autoimmune reaction causing damage to peripheral nerves. So far, only 8 cases have been described in association with COVID-19. This is the first to be described in Tanzania in an African Child, and probably the first in the continent. This report is presented for clinicians to be aware and for the medical fraternity to look into this unusual presentation which may shed some more light on possible pathways of the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. We recommend that the presentation of GBS with acute respiratory distress should warrant extra precaution and a testing for COVID-19 especially when the symptoms of COVID-19 are protean.

Keywords: COVID-19; GBS; Guillain-Barré; SARS-CoV-2; pediatrics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • Child
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / complications
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnostic imaging
  • Quadriplegia / etiology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / etiology
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Tanzania
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed